Olympic Dressage Rider Guenter Seidel will be a special guest at the upcoming CDS Championships. (Photo: Jennifer M. Keeler)

With entries now closed and less than a month to go before the start of competition, excitement is building for the 44th Annual California Dressage Society Championship Show presented by HorseShow.com, which will be held October 6 - 9, 2011 at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA. With more than $29,000 in prize money and awards, this show will also feature the popular CDS Young Horse Futurity (including the Cal-Bred Futurity), the GAIG/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships, and the GAIG/USDF Breeders Championships West Coast Series Final.

"Not only will these Championships feature top competition, but they are also going to be a lot of fun," said Glenda McElroy, competition manager. "There will be something for everyone to enjoy, whether attending as a competitor, sponsor, official, CDS member, volunteer, or spectator."

With as many as five dressage arenas spotlighting the best of California's horses and riders each day there will be plenty of competition action, and thanks to the California Dressage Society, exhibitors will also enjoy complimentary hospitality and entertainment. On Wednesday, October 5th, a welcome pizza party will be held as well as freestyle rehearsals. Meanwhile, Thursday's schedule will be "Gone to the Dogs", with a hot dog barbeque and a parade of pooches vying for prizes for cutest pet and best trick. And on Friday, October 7th, CDS would like to welcome special guest and Olympic dressage rider Guenter Seidel, who will sign autographs in the CDS booth and assist with awards presentations. During evening hospitality, Mr. Seidel will be interviewed by announcer Brian O'Connor in what's sure to be a "can't miss" event.

The highlight of the weekend's entertainment will be Saturday evening, October 8th, including freestyle competition; costume quadrilles; the famous Brian O'Connor dressage demonstration; a flag ceremony and drill team presentation by the West Coast Cowgirls; and a dog herding and frisbee dog performance. Sunday will be the culmination of the CDS Championship experience, as exhibitors compete for tricolor ribbons in the finales of multiple divisions.

Throughout the week, attendees will enjoy shopping at vendor booths, including the CDS display which will include merchandise, a silent auction, and a collection of final submissions for the CDS 45th Anniversary Logo Contest. As a reminder, the deadline for logo designs is September 23rd; to submit a proposal, please contact Paula Langan, paula@california-dressage.org.

Spectator admission to CDS Championship competition and entertainment is free of charge, and food is available for purchase on-site at the Murieta Equestrian Center, 7200 Lone Pine Drive, Rancho Murieta, CA 95683. Sponsor tables, which are located in the main arena and include hospitality service, are still available and may be reserved by contacting Regina Antonioli, (805) 306-1885 or eqconcepts@earthlink.net. Attendees can get closest to all the Championship action by volunteering! For volunteer opportunities, please contact Glenda McElroy, (818) 841-3554 or glenda@glenroys.com.

The California Dressage Society, formed in 1967, is a non-profit organization devoted to furthering interest in dressage. It is one of the largest dressage organizations in the nation with more than 4,200 individual members in its 36 Chapters and a rich history of equestrian sport on the West Coast.

Italy’s Sara Morganti has been voted the International Paralympic Committee’s best female Allianz Athlete of the Month for August following her incredible performance at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA).

Grand prix show jumper Danielle Goldstein has represented Israel in major international competitions in 2014, from Spruce Meadows and Thunderbird Horsepark in Canada to the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Upon returning to the United States, the dual US and Israeli citizen has been invited to compete in the Central Park Horse Show,...

[CAEN, France] – After a successful 15 days of competition and celebration, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy have come to a close this evening with a farewell ceremony in the Michel d’Ornano Stadium in Caen. A cast of close to 2,000 of the world’s best equine and human athletes, more than 570,000 on-site spectators and 3,...

Where to begin. I’m on the journey home with memories of Beezie Madden claiming the Individual Bronze Medal and Cortes C claiming the Best Horse title in the Final Four phase of Show Jumping at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. Chester Weber did us proud as well claiming an Individual Silver in Driving and his team was...

FEI President HRH Princess Haya officially closed the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy at the D’Ornano Stadium this evening, bringing to an end two weeks of incredible sport.
The final medals of the Games were presented by IOC Member, Tsunekazu Takeda, Vice-President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and Member of the...

made it double-gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy today when adding the individual title to last Thursday’s team victory for The Netherlands. He made his way into this afternoon’s top-four Jumping final thanks to a horse that he admitted was inexperienced at this level of the sport and which clearly surprised him...

In sport, time is often the difference between victory and defeat, and in a display of supreme individual horsemanship, the Netherlands Jeroen Dubbeldam today sealed a growing reputation within the sport of Show Jumping by claiming the Individual World Champion title at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy by less than half a...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce that the 2016 Eventing 18 Program outline and application are now available. The Eventing 18 Program is the beginning of the athlete pipeline and aims to build a foundation of future horsemen and women that will hopefully go on to represent the United States. Selection...

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board yesterday stamped its approval on a change of venue for the Tokyo 2020 equestrian events. The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee presented the change to the IOC Executive Board at its meeting in Rio (BRA) as part of the Tokyo 2020 venue master plan following the FEI’s approval of the switch...

100% Additional Donations to Benefit HORSES and HOPE Charity
Lexington, Kentucky - February 26, 2015 - Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, has announced they will be hosting the inaugural RK-5K, a twilight 5K race on Friday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Horse Park. The...

Blue Hill Farm South suffered a terribly shocking experience yesterday in Ocala, when Missy's living quarters coach went up in flames, taking her Subaru with it. She is going to be ok, and thankfully Brigitte Aikelin and Tiffany Smith who were nearby acted quickly to get our beloved Jamie out of the coach. Missy and all of her dogs are ok, and...

The Carolina International sponsored two winter clinics at the Carolina Horse Park to help riders improve their overall competition experience and results. Clinicians focused on improving dressage scores and preparing for and riding a show jumping course. Sarah Bookner rode in the Beginner Novice session with an off-the-track Thoroughbred named...

It is with great sadness we have learned 30-year-old Francisco Seabra of Portugal died on cross country at the Rancho Alegre Eventing Tour de Utrera in Sevilla, Spain, today while competing in the CIC2*.
According to an announcement on Rancho Alegre’s website, the accident occurred at the third element of fence 10, a water jump, of the Pierre...

Stop the presses, EN! We’ve confirmed through our friends at buschreiter.de that Michael Jung plans to start at Rolex this year with either La Biosthetique Sam FBW or fischerRocana FST, his 2014 World Equestrian Games individual silver and team gold medalist. And if Andreas Dibowski can securing fund, he plans to bring FRH Butts Avedon.
It’s been...

Tampa, Florida – February 15, 2015: The Florida Reining Classic at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, Florida will be the second show to host World Para Reining (WPR) approved classes, on February 21 and 22. To add to the excitement, the WPR will offer $500 in prize money for this event and the champion from each WPR class will receive $...

Make plans now to come to the American Quarter Horse Association’s Markel AQHA Cowtown Showdown presented by the City of Fort Worth, March 7, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at the Will Rogers Memorial Center! The Markel AQHA Cowtown Showdown celebrates AQHA’s 75th Anniversary and will feature four top NRHA riders – and we need you to come cheer them on and...

Oklahoma City, Okla.– The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) concluded five days of productive meetings with NRHA’s top leaders this past week in Scottsdale, Ariz. Focusing on the association’s core business objectives for 2015, NRHA’s Board of Directors also met to guide the future of the sport of Reining. Among several items discussed...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2015 Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and 2015 USEF Youth Reining National Championships.
Held as a CRI3*, the 2015 Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship will run during the High Roller Reining Classic,...

Lexington, VA - In a major announcement from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) the Virginia Horse Center (VHC) has officially been awarded the bid for the 2015 AQHA Nutrena East Level 1 (Novice) Championships. The AQHA East Level 1 Championships will make the move from Murfreesboro, Tennessee to Lexington, Virginia for the 2015...

Weirsdale, FL - This weekend! Help support the U.S. Pony Team! Saturday, February 28, and Sunday March 1, 2015, Katie Whaley and Jennifer Matheson, in conjunction with the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, will be hosting a special fundraiser at the Grand Oaks Resort in Weirsdale, Florida. This exciting event will help raise funds for...

Here is a great opportunity to ask ADS "R" Rated Dressage judge Craig Kellong all those questions you have after you read your score sheets. Understand what they saw or what they are looking for. Audit and watch participants as they do their test of choice. Join in on the round table discussions, and enjoy breakfast and lunch at the beautiful...

Take part in the exciting sport of Combined Driving and watch world class competition by volunteering this weekend at the Kingdom of the Sun Combined Driving Event on February 19-22, 2015 from 8a.m. to 4p.m.. The Florida Horse Park needs timers, observers, gate stewards, and dressage for this event. Anyone who volunteers can enjoy watching the...

Beyond the walls of tourism, there are parts of Cuba the government doesn’t want you to see. As the wife of a refugee who landed in this country in a sheet metal boat with just a pair of shorts and a desire to regain a professional life, I have had the rare privilege of visiting the real Cuba. This is the Cuba the government will shield you from...

Bordeaux (FRA) - Dutch driver IJsbrand Chardon has taken the lead of the FEI World Cup™ Driving Final 2015 in Bordeaux (FRA) after the first competition held last night. The reigning FEI World Cup™ Driving Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) is close second. Germany’s Christoph Sandmann is currently lying in third position.
IJsbrand Chardon was the first...

Wellington, FL – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that No. 1 Driver in the World, Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, is the recipient of the 2015 Whitney Stone Cup. The award is presented annually to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition and high standards of sportsmanlike...

The history of the Jumping International de Bordeaux is inseparable from that of the Show Jumping World Cup, constituting one of its legs ever since the event’s creation. The sport has never failed to provide striking memories: from Belgium's Christian Huysegoms in 1978 to Germany’s Marcus Ehning – who took first place in style last year with the...

World No.1 Scott Brash (GBR) will begin his Longines Global Champions Tour Championship title defense in Miami Beach next month. The 29-year-old will be fighting to secure his third Longines Global Champions Tour Championship title in a row as the leading showjumpers in the world come together in Florida for the thrilling first round of the 2015...

Wellington, FL - March 2, 2015 - Week nine of The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will kick off this Wednesday at Tonkawa Farms, offering easy riding distance adjacent from the showgrounds. This week's events will take place on Wednesday, March 4 and Friday, March 6. In addition to the ever-popular 1.30-1.35m classes, Wednesday will offer Low and...

Horse-and-rider combinations from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe have enjoyed some great competition during the FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 qualifiers, with a particularly strong turnout in South America.

The Caucasian, South African and Central Asian leagues are also complete, and invitations to attend the Longines FEI...

Wellington, FL - March 3, 2015 - During the HITS Ocala Tournament VII, Jennifer Alfano and Billie Steffee's Maggie May topped the High Performance Hunters with fantastic results. Even though it is only the mare's first year in the High Performance division, she's already turned in some impressive scores and is making a name for herself as a horse...

Twenty seven horse and rider teams tackled Sunday's $35,000 Budweiser Grand Prix course, designed by Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico in front of delighted crowds. Esparza is a top international course designer whose resume includes his position as an Assistant Designer for the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and...

Wellington, FL - March 2, 2015 - Each year, top riders from around the world gather at the Winter Equestrian Festival during thee CSIO competition held Week 8. On Sunday, March 1, Mexico's Nicolas Pizarro was presented with the Kate Nash Boone Style Award during the $150,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix. The award is presented to the international...

Wellington, FL - A week of unprecedented success for the U.S. at CSIO Wellington came to a close on Sunday with Todd Minikus claiming victory in the CSIO4* Grand Prix presented by Lugano Diamonds and the U.S. Teams completing a clean sweep of FEI Nations Cups presented by Hollow Creek Farm.
Minikus (Wellington, FL) and his partner from the United...

Kjell Myhre talks to riders at the 2015 USEF High Performance Southeast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium in Wellington, FL, January 12-13. (Photo: (C) Lindsay Y. McCall)
Wellington, FL - Following the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* select U.S. Para-Dressage athletes and coaches had an opportunity to attend the USEF High Performance Southeast Para-Equestrian Dressage Symposium. This symposium took place January 12-13, 2014, at the Global Dressage Festival show grounds in Wellington, Florida. Over two days U.S. High Performance and developing Para-Dressage coaches and riders were immersed in the international equestrian discipline of Para-Dressage. Topics included Para-Dressage theory, scales of training, para-dressage test riding, quality of horse, freestyles, preparation...

USA Team (Left to right): Sydney Collier, Annie Peavy, Rebecca Hart, U.S. Chef D' Equipe Kai Handt, and Roxanne Trunnell (Photo: (C) Lindsay Y. McCall)
Wellington, FL - Thirteen Para-Dressage horse and rider combinations made their way to Wellington, Florida, this January for the first CPEDI3* of the 2015 show season. Para-Equestrians from Canada and the United States in Grades Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV, competed at the spectacular Global Dressage venue in the Van Kampen Arena. FEI Ground Jury members Mr. Freddy Leyman (BEL), Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), and Ms. Kristi Wysocki (USA) were on hand to offer their expertise for each Para-Dressage duo. This CPEDI3* is one of the qualifiers for the 2015 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships, 2016 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National C...

Robyn Andrews and Fancianna (Photo: SusanJStickle.com)
Ottawa, ON. - On the final day of competition at CPEDI3* Global Dressage Festival I presented by Adequan, Robyn Andrews won her test for the second day in a row for Canada. The competition was held at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Fla., Jan. 9-11, 2015. Andrews of St. Johns, N.L. secured the victory in the Grade Ia Freestyle test riding her 2014 World Equestrian Games mare 14-year-old Fancianna, a Friesian-Andalusian cross, to a score of 67.917%. "I was pleased with Fancy today," said Andrews. "I was a bit tired, but we pulled it off. Many thanks must go to the Global Dressage Festival for putting on a great show. Special thanks to my coach, Amanda Kalvoda; chef d'équipe, Elizabeth Quigg; Pa...

U.S. Chef D' Equipe Kai Handt jogs Rubicon 75, ridden by Mary Jordan, owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (Photo (c) Lindsay Y. McCall)
Wellington, FL - Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes from around the North American continent have landed in Wellington, Florida, for the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3*. This is the first CPEDI3* event for the 2015 calendar year. Thirteen horse and rider combinations presented their mounts in front of FEI Ground Jury members Mr. Freddy Leyman (BEL), Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), and Ms. Kristi Wysocki (USA). Para-Equestrians from Canada and the United States will compete January 9-11, in The Van Kampen covered arena at the Global Dressage Festival. Friday, January 9, is the FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Test, followed by Saturday's FE...

Kai Handt and Wes Dunham showcase collaborative coaching at the Northeast Symposium in 2013. Rider Sydney Collier aboard her own Wentworth works on gaits. (Photo (C) Lindsay Y. McCall)
Wellington, FL - The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF), is excited to announce a two-day Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium to be held at Global Dressage, Wellington, Florida, January 12 & 13, 2015, 8 AM-4 PM. Select U.S. High Performance and developing Para- Equestrian Dressage riders and coaches will be attending the symposium. Auditors are welcome to attend for $75. Pre-registering as an auditor is not required. Please contact Laureen Johnson at USEF at lkjohnson@usef.org if you are interested in audit...

Nora Grassmyer, Mibis, Barbara Grassmyer, and Bob Grassmyer. (Photo: (c) Lindsay Y. McCall)
El Dorado Hills, CA - On December 19, 2014, the Dressage Community lost friend, volunteer, and parent Nora Grassmyer after a three year battle with bladder cancer. Nora was heavily involved with the Dressage and Para-Dressage disciplines both internationally and at the national level. She was also a longtime volunteer at the California Dressage shows managed by Connie Davenport. Nora was a driving force behind her daughter and Paralympian Barbara Grassmyer. She was there at every moment for Barbara including when Barbara served as an alternate for the U.S. Paralympic Team in 2000, competing in Sydney, Australia; in 2001 and 2002 when Barbara was the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion;...

Rebecca Hart and Schroeters Romani rode to the high score of 78.382% during the Polar Express Show at White Fences.
Wellington, FL - Rebecca Hart and Schroeters Romani shined Saturday afternoon during the Polar Express show held at the White Fences Equestrian Center in Loxahatchee, Florida. The talented duo rode to the score of 78.382 percent for the FEI Para Team Grade II test during the national show, kick starting their season as they prepare for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in CPEDI3* in January 2015.Hart traveled to Florida in early December to work with Wellington-based international dressage trainer Todd Flettrich out of Cherry Knoll Farm, which is also a partial owner of Romani. Hart and Flettrich have worked consistently on warm-up and preparation with Romani after takin...

Sydney Collier riding Willi Wesley (Photo: SusanjStickle.com)
Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce Sydney Collier as the 2014 Junior Equestrian of the Year. Seventeen-year-old Collier is a talented Para-Equestrian who competed at the international level in 2014, including the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., she was diagnosed at the age of seven with a rare congenital birth defect called Wyburn-Mason Syndrome. In spite of this challenge, Collier pursued her love of riding and has become a top equestrian athlete. A prime example of courage, sportsmanship, and dedication, Collier will be awarded the Ruth O'Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy as the 2014 Junior Equestrian of the Year. Having her biggest year to da...

Trainer Wes Dunham and WEG athletes Sydney Collier's mount Willi Wesley at the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* horse inspection . (Photo: Lindsay McCall)
Wellington, Florida - November 26, 2014 - Entries are now being accepted at www.equestrianentries.com through December 22, 2014, for the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3*. Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes kick-off the show season with their their first international show of the year January 7-11, 2015, in Wellington, FL, in the Van Kampen covered arena. This show will include FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes in Grades Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV. Thursday, January 8, is the Horse inspection at approximately 5:30 PM. Friday, January 9, is the FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Test, followed by Saturday's FEI P...

We salute our veterans this Veterans Day. Thank you for protecting our freedoms. On this day we ask you to take a moment to think about those that have served our country. We would like to salute our disabled veterans who are part of not only the equestrian sport but all Paralympic sports. Thank you, - USPEA. We too, at DressageDaily, would like to take a moment to thank all veterans who have served our country to protect our liberties and rights. We truly appreciate all past and current members of our military for all that you do! History of Veterans Day - From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: World War I - known at the time as "The Great War" - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versaille...